Diagnostic Tests for Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Benign prostatic hyperplasia:

You may first notice symptoms of BPH yourself, or your doctor may find
that your prostate is enlarged during a routine checkup. When BPH is
suspected, you may be referred to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in
problems of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. Several
tests help the doctor identify the problem and decide whether surgery is
needed. The tests vary from patient to patient, but the following are the
most common.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

This exam is usually the first test done. The doctor inserts a gloved
finger into the rectum and feels the part of the prostate next to the
rectum. This exam gives the doctor a general idea of the size and
condition of the gland.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test

In order to rule out cancer as a cause of urinary symptoms, your doctor
may recommend a PSA blood test. PSA, a protein produced by prostate cells,
is frequently present at elevated levels in the blood of men who have
prostate cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a PSA
test for use in conjunction with a digital rectal exam to help detect
prostate cancer in men age 50 or older and for monitoring prostate cancer
patients after treatment. However, much remains unknown about the
interpretation of PSA levels, the test's ability to discriminate cancer
from benign prostate conditions, and the best course of action following a
finding of elevated PSA.

Because many unanswered questions surround the issue of PSA screening,
the relative magnitude of its potential risks and benefits is unknown.
Both PSA and ultrasound tests enhance detection when added to DRE
screening. But they are known to have relatively high false-positive
rates, and they may identify a greater number of medically insignificant
tumors. Thus, PSA screening might lead to treatment of unproven benefit
that could result in morbidity (including impotence and incontinence) and
mortality. It cannot be determined from earlier studies whether PSA
screening will reduce prostate cancer mortality. Ongoing studies are
addressing this issue.

Rectal Ultrasound

If there is a suspicion of prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend a
test with rectal ultrasound. In this procedure, a probe inserted in the
rectum directs sound waves at the prostate. The echo patterns of the sound
waves form an image of the prostate gland on a display screen.

Urine Flow Study

Sometimes the doctor will ask a patient to urinate into a special
device which measures how quickly the urine is flowing. A reduced flow
often suggests BPH.

Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

IVP is an x-ray of the urinary tract. In this test, a dye is injected
into a vein, and the x-ray is taken. The dye makes the urine visible on
the x-ray and shows any obstruction or blockage in the urinary tract.

Cystoscopy

In this exam, the doctor inserts a small tube through the opening of
the urethra in the penis. This procedure is done after a solution numbs
the inside of the penis so all sensation is lost. The tube, called a
cystoscope, contains a lens and a light system, which help the doctor see
the inside of the urethra and the bladder. This test allows the doctor to
determine the size of the gland and identify the location and degree of
the obstruction.
(Source: excerpt from Prostate Enlargement Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: NIDDK)

Diagnosis of Benign prostatic hyperplasia: medical news summaries:

The following medical news items
are relevant to diagnosis of Benign prostatic hyperplasia:

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